VFX frontrunners "First Man," “Avengers: Infinity War," and “Ready Player One” are joined by surprise animated entries "Incredibles 2" and "Isle of Dogs."

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee voted on its preliminary list of 20, and, along with frontrunners “First Man,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Ready Player One,” it included two surprise animated entries: Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” and Wes Anderson’s stop-motion “Isle of Dogs.” The last animated VFX nominee was Laika’s stop motion “Kubo and the Two Strings,” and the last Pixar movie to be considered for VFX consideration was Brad Bird’s “Ratatouille.”

Marvel’s Best Picture contender “Black Panther” also made the cut along with “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” However, Andy Serkis’ performance-captured “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,” picked up by Netflix, didn’t make the cut. Superhero movies “Deadpool 2” and “Venom” were also shut out.

Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network.